I am regretfully placing the blog on a brief hiatus and leaving up this open thread so that readers can share links, stories, greetings and all other animal related sundries. I will miss the regular commenters (and even you irregular ones) but I hope to contribute to this open thread during the break as a way to keep in touch. I truly hope you all find what you are hoping for ‘neath the Christmas tree, over the rainbow or in your own back yard, as the case may be. All my best wishes for the holiday season and I hope to see you back here in January.